TOWSON, Md. - Senior Rachel Miller knows a thing or two about having to wait her turn.

Growing up as the oldest child in a family with eight kids, Miller was well prepared to wait her turn for a chance to play for the Tiger softball team.

"I'm the oldest of eight children, four boys and four girls," said Miller.

Miller is 23 while the youngest of the Miller children is six. She grew up playing with her brothers, as three of the boys came after her in the age ladder. Miller explained that her Dad stayed home with the kids and because the boys followed her in age, she spent a lot of time playing outside, baseball with them.

"It was great growing up in a big family because there was always someone around and something to do," said Miller. "It was the worst because I was the oldest and always had to take responsibility."

Having learned to wait her turn growing up, Miller was well prepared to wait for her for a chance to play when she arrived at Towson.

Miller originally started her college career at Seton Hall but a redshirt year and a change in major, brought the Monrovia, Md. native back home and to the Tigers.

"I joined the team as a walk-on and was used primarily as a pinch-runner and bullpen catcher for my first two years," said Miller.

However, the graduation of Emily Gould following the 2009 season opened a door for Miller to get playing time on a permanent basis.  

"We had plenty of catchers on the roster and there was a spot to fill in the outfield," said Miller. "Luckily for me the coaches decided to give me a chance."

Head coach Lisa Costello gave Miller a chance in left field to start the 2010 season and Miller made the most of it. She hit .283 and her 29 runs scored were tied for second on the team. Miller stole 11 bases last year and used her speed from the top or bottom of the line-up to assist the Tigers. She earned Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors last season.

"I was a little shocked when I found out I made the all-conference team," admitted Miller. "I knew I had it in me, I just try and go out there and have fun with it."

This year, Miller and the Tigers are off to a solid start with a 6-4 record entering the Coastal Carolina Tournament this weekend. Miller, one of the team captains, is hitting .364 with a team-high nine runs scored out of the leadoff spot. She is also a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts this year.

"Rachel is such a great person to have around," said Costello. "She was voted the hardest worker by her teammates and you can see wants to work hard and make the team better any way she can."

"As a captain, I want to encourage my teammates to go out there and have fun but when it's your turn make it count," said Miller.

Miller certainly has made it count in her time as a Tiger.

-- TIGERS --

Past Meet the Tigers Features:
Nick Natoli - Baseball (3-28-11)
Emily Hill - Gymnastics (3-14-11)
Avis Hixon - Gymnastics (3-7-11)
Rachel Miller - Softball (3-2-11)
Caroline Woody - Swimming (2-21-11)
The Dean Elhers Nominees - Men's and Women's Basketball (2-15-11)
Joi Jefferson - Women's Basketball (1-24-11)
Simona Petronyte and Dovile Miliauskaite - Women's Basketball (1-3-11)
Erin Batth - Women's Basketball (12-21-10)
Braxton Dupree - Men's Basketball (12-15-10)
Katie Ogden - Cross Country (10-25-10)
Tiger Men's and Women's Golf (10-11-10)Brandi Gervais - Cross Country/Track and Field (7-14-10)Cassandra Ng - Tennis (4-8-10)
Kacy Cantanzaro - Gymnastics (3-4-10)
Josh Brown - Men's Basketball (2-3-10)
Kayla Zeller - Swimming (11-19-09)
John Godlasky - Football(11-3-09)
Lindsay Warfield - Cross Country (10-21-09)
Alex Butt - Football (10-16-09)
Mariah Schuette - Field Hockey (10-7-09)
Scott Horta - Baseball (9-18-09)
Chris Scialo - Golf (9-10-09)
Brady Smith - Football (9-2-09)
Randall Cooper - Lacrosse (5-11-09)
Mindy Bean - Softball (4-22-09)
Gary Helmick - Baseball (4-6-09)
Rob Wheeler - Lacrosse (4-1-09)
Emily Gould - Softball (3-25-09)Meredith Budner  - Swimming (3-18-09)Megan Wooden  - Gymnastics (3-11-09)
Michelle Donadio - Cross Country/Track (3-4-09)
Katrina Wheeler - Basketball (2-25-09)
Hillary Fratzke - Lacrosse (2-17-09)
Alise McDonald - Gymnastics (2-10-09)
Robert Nwankwo  - Basketball (2-3-09)